Bruce Highway safety upgrade underway at Gootchie

The Rockhampton Ring Roa will link the Bruce Highway through Rockhampton. Image courtesy of TMR. — Image courtesy of TMR.

Works are now underway to improve safety along a three-kilometre section of the Bruce Highway at Gootchie in Queensland, including upgrades to three intersections.

The project will widen the Bruce Highway, provide two-metre shoulders and wide centre line treatments, from Gutchy Creek to north of the Sheehan’s Road intersection.

The project has been funded under the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program’s Blackspots, Rest Areas and Safety Upgrades Package, the state’s largest road infrastructure program improving safety, flood resilience, and capacity between Brisbane and Cairns.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the project would improve the safety of the route for local motorists.

“We’re also delivering dedicated, right and left-turn lanes at the Deveron Road, Molteno Road and Sheehans Road intersections to improve safety by separating through and turning traffic,” he said.

“Other roadside treatments include guardrails, flattened batters and clearing. Together, these treatments will provide a more forgiving roadside for drivers and safer distancing from oncoming traffic.”

Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien said the project reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the Bruce Highway connection.

“They form part of the Australian Government’s commitment to building a better Bruce Highway through Wide Bay. This includes the $1 billion Gympie bypass, the $335.8 million four-lane Tiaro bypass, and the $103 million Maryborough to Torbanlea upgrade, all of which are 80 per cent funded by the Australian Government,” he said.

“The Australian Government is also fully funding the $20.1 million Tinana overtaking lanes project.”

Motorists have been advised that works will typically occur Monday to Saturday between 6am and 6pm.